Chelsea showcased their credentials as favorites for the UEFA Conference League with a commanding 4-2 victory over Belgian side Gent at Stamford Bridge. The Blues’ comprehensive win marked their fourth match this season in which they scored four or more goals, further highlighting their attacking prowess. The match saw contributions from various players, emphasizing the team’s collective strength and depth.
A Promising Start with Defensive Resilience
The match began with Gent applying pressure on Chelsea, utilizing a high defensive line that initially restricted the home side’s options. Chelsea struggled to break through the visitors’ resolute defense in the opening ten minutes. However, the breakthrough came when Renato Veiga scored his first goal for Chelsea, heading home a cross from Mykhailo Mudryk. The goal not only lifted the spirits of the team but also marked an important milestone for Veiga, who is still finding his footing in the squad.
Following the opener, Gent shifted their approach, opting for a more conservative game plan that allowed Chelsea to control possession. The Belgian side seemed content to absorb pressure, effectively putting bodies behind the ball to thwart Chelsea’s attacking intentions. However, as the first half progressed, it became evident that the visitors’ strategy might backfire.
Gent’s Brief Resurgence
Despite Chelsea‘s dominance, Gent began to find their rhythm and created some promising chances. England U20 international Archie Brown made an impactful run forward, unleashing a low shot that Chelsea goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen had to deal with. The tension in the stadium heightened when Andri Gudjohnsen, son of Chelsea legend Eidur Gudjohnsen, almost leveled the match, firing a shot just over the bar after brilliantly maneuvering between two defenders.
While Gent grew in confidence and attempted to mount a comeback, they were met with a Chelsea defense that, although occasionally shaky, was bolstered by the team’s attacking threat.
A Thrilling Start to the Second Half
The second half kicked off with an electrifying pace, as Gent’s Pedro Neto capitalized on a defensive lapse to score just 38 seconds after the restart. His quick strike ignited hopes for the visitors, who had been trailing 1-0 at halftime. Chelsea, however, responded swiftly to regain their composure.
Not long after Gent’s goal, Chelsea demonstrated their resilience. Tsuyoshi Watanabe scored from a Gudjohnsen cross, with VAR confirming the goal after checking for offside. This back-and-forth action set the tone for a thrilling second half, as both teams showcased their attacking flair.
Chelsea Seizes Control
Following a brief period of uncertainty, Chelsea settled back into their rhythm, dominating possession and applying pressure on Gent’s defense. Their relentless attacking style was rewarded when they struck again. The Blues’ ability to rotate players and keep fresh legs on the pitch proved crucial, allowing them to maintain a high tempo.
With the score at 2-1, Chelsea managed to double their lead when Mudryk displayed his speed and skill, breaking down the left wing before providing a low cross that was tapped in by the prolific striker Armando Broja. Broja’s instinctive finish illustrated the forward’s growing confidence and importance to the Chelsea squad.
Late Drama and Gent’s Response
Gent refused to back down, however, and mounted another spirited fight. They pulled one back through a well-placed shot from Andri Gudjohnsen, who capitalized on a defensive miscommunication. His goal made it 3-2 and reignited the visitors’ hopes of salvaging something from the match.
With the clock ticking down, Gent pushed forward in search of an equalizer, leaving them vulnerable at the back. Chelsea took full advantage of the situation, with their counter-attacking play proving lethal. They sealed the match with a fourth goal, courtesy of a stunning strike from Enzo Fernandez, who picked the ball up from outside the area and sent a powerful shot into the bottom corner, ensuring Chelsea would walk away with all three points.
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